User Controller With User Presence Detection And Related Systems And Methods (VIC App only)

ABSTRACT

The present invention is relates to a user controller having a thumb sheath with an open side defined in the thumb sheath. Further embodiments relate to thumb presence sensors and sensory feedback components associated with the thumb sheath. Additional embodiments relate to an adjustable thumb sheath. Still other embodiments relate to systems comprising such user controllers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority as a continuation to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/826,166, filed Nov. 29, 2017, and entitled “UserController with User Presence Detection and Related Systems andMethods,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application62/427,357, filed Nov. 29, 2016, and entitled “Controller with UserPresence Detection and Related Systems and Methods,” all of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments herein relate to user presence detection on amulti-degree-of-freedom (DOF) user input device for use in systems suchas, for example, robotic medical device systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

User input devices with many degrees of freedom require the user tosupport the mass of the input device.

One example of such a known input device is depicted in FIGS. 1-2B. FIG.1 depicts the multi-DOF user input device 8 for the left hand of theuser. To interface with the device 8, the user places the left palm onthe main body 10 of the user controller 8, the forefinger on theforefinger interface 12 that is able to move relative to the main body10 via a rotary link 14, and the thumb in the thumb groove 16. The mainbody 10 of the user interface 8 is connected to a multi-DOF positioningor sensing system through a linkage 18. In order to supply forces andtorques to move the user interface 8 both a thumb restraint 20 andforefinger restraint 22 to constrain the users hand to the device 8.

FIG. 2A and 2B depict the ability of the user to further input anopen/close motion of the forefinger interface 12, which is connected tothe main body 10 using a link 14 and rotary joint 30. The minimumdisplacement 32 (as shown in FIG. 2A) and maximum displacement 34 (asshown in FIG. 2B) can be measured and used as an additional controlsignal. The thumb restraint 20 and forefinger restraint 22 supplyconstraints such that the user maintains control of the main body 10while moving the grasper throughout its range of motion. Suchrestraints, while enabling the user to input another control signal,make it difficult for the user to disengage with the device 8 in acontrolled manner.

Further, in order for the user to exit the device in a controlledfashion, support of the input device must transferred to the inputdevice itself or the signal being output by the device must cease. Thatis, during use, the input device is supported or maintained in itsoperable position by the hand of the user, but removal of the user'shand from the input device without any mechanical force applied by thesystem itself causes the input device to be pulled downward by gravity,which can result in the robotic device or component operably coupled tothe input device to move or be actuated in an undesirable fashion.

There is a need in the art for improved methods and devices fordetecting the presence of a user at, on, or using a user input device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Discussed herein are various user controllers for use with varioussystems, including robotic surgical systems.

In Example 1, a user controller comprises a controller body and a thumbsheath coupled to the controller body. The thumb sheath comprises afirst sheath section extending from the controller body, and a secondsheath section extending from the first sheath section, wherein thesecond sheath section is transverse to the first sheath segment. Thefirst sheath section, the second sheath section, and the controller bodydefine a thumb opening and an open side.

Example 2 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, whereinthe first sheath section, the second sheath section, and the controllerbody do not form a 360° enclosure around the thumb opening.

Example 3 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, furthercomprising a light sensor disposed within the thumb opening.

Example 4 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, furthercomprising a light emitter disposed on an inner wall of the thumb sheathand a light receiver disposed on the controller body, wherein the lightreceiver is positioned to receive light transmitted by the lightemitter.

Example 5 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, furthercomprising a light emitter disposed on the controller body and a lightreceiver disposed on an inner wall of the thumb sheath, wherein thelight receiver is positioned to receive light transmitted by the lightemitter.

Example 6 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, furthercomprising a light emitter and a light receiver, wherein the lightemitter and light receiver are disposed on the controller body.

Example 7 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, furthercomprising a capacitive sensor disposed on the controller body withinthe thumb sheath.

Example 8 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, furthercomprising a mechanical sensor disposed on the controller body withinthe thumb sheath.

Example 9 relates to the user controller according to Example 1, whereinthe thumb sheath is adjustable between a retracted position and anextended position.

Example 10 relates to the user controller according to Example 1,further comprising a feedback signal component disposed on an outersurface of the thumb sheath, wherein the feedback signal component isvisible to a user.

Example 11 relates to the user controller according to Example 1,wherein a user's thumb is removable from the thumb sheath via the thumbopening or the open side.

In Example 12, a robotic surgical system comprises a system controller,a robotic surgical device operably coupled to the system controller, anda user controller operably coupled to the system controller. The roboticsurgical device comprises a device body, at least one robotic armoperably coupled to the device body, and at least one end effectoroperably coupled to the robotic arm. The user controller comprises acontroller body, and a thumb sheath coupled to the controller body,wherein the thumb sheath and the controller body define a thumb openingand a side opening.

Example 13 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example12, wherein the thumb sheath comprises a first sheath section extendingfrom the controller body and defining a first wall of the thumb opening,a second sheath section extending from the first sheath second anddefining a second wall of the thumb opening, and a third wall of thethumb opening defined by the controller body.

Example 14 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example13, wherein the side opening is defined between the second wall and thethird wall.

Example 15 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example12, wherein the thumb sheath does not form a 360° enclosure around thethumb opening.

Example 16 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example12, further comprising a thumb presence sensor disposed within the thumbopening.

Example 17 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example16, wherein the thumb presence sensor comprises a light sensor, acapacitive sensor, or a mechanical sensor.

Example 18 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example12, wherein the thumb sheath is adjustable between a retracted positionand an extended position.

Example 19 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example12, further comprising a feedback signal component disposed on an outersurface of the thumb sheath, wherein the feedback signal component isvisible to a user.

Example 20 relates to the robotic surgical system according to Example12, wherein a user's thumb is removable from the thumb sheath via thethumb opening or the side opening.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, allwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known user input device.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the known user input device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is another top view of the known user input device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a user input device with a thumb sheath,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a user input device with a thumb sheathand a light-based sensor, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a user input device with a thumb sheathand another light-based sensor, according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of a known circuit configuration for usewith a light-based sensor, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a user input device with a thumb sheathand a capacitive sensor, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of a known circuit configuration for usewith a capacitive sensor, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of a known circuit configuration for usewith a mechanical sensor, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a user input device with a thumb sheathand a sensory signal, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a user input device with an adjustablethumb sheath in a retracted position, according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a user input device with an adjustablethumb sheath in an extended position, according to a further embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a user input device with a thumb sheathand a mechanical sensor, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments herein relate to methods and devices fordetecting the presence of a user at, on, or using a multi-DOF user inputdevice in which the user grasps the device using a pincer grasp. Thatis, the various embodiments have a sheath mounted on the input devicethat is configured to detect the presence of the user's hand. If theuser's hand (or more specifically the thumb, according to certainembodiments) is detected by the sheath, the device transmits a signal(“the presence signal”) to the system (such as, for example, the systemcontroller component of the system) that the user is in position andcontrol should be enabled. When the hand is removed, the absence of the“presence signal” can be used to cease use of the device output or, ifit is haptically enabled, lock the device in place.

It is understood that the various user controller embodiments herein canbe used with various robotic surgical systems in which the usercontroller is the user interface and is coupled to the surgical systemsuch that the user controller can be used to control a robotic surgicaldevice positioned into or within a cavity of a patient. That is, thevarious user controller embodiments and related systems and methodsdisclosed herein can be incorporated into, used in conjunction with, orused as part of any other known robotic surgical systems, devices, ormethods. For example, the various embodiments disclosed herein may beincorporated into or used with any of the medical devices and systemsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,968,332 (issued on Mar. 3, 2015 andentitled “Magnetically Coupleable Robotic Devices and Related Methods”),U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,488 (issued on Sep. 16, 2014 and entitled“Magnetically Coupleable Surgical Robotic Devices and Related Methods”),U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/617,232 (filed on Feb. 9, 2015 andentitled “Robotic Surgical Devices and Related Methods”), U.S. Pat. No.9,579,088 (issued on Feb. 28, 2017 and entitled “Methods, Systems, andDevices for Surgical Visualization and Device Manipulation”), U.S. Pat.No. 8,343,171 (issued on Jan. 1, 2013 and entitled “Methods and Systemsof Actuation in Robotic Devices”), U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,024 (issued onSep. 9, 2014 and entitled “Methods and Systems of Actuation in RoboticDevices”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/454,035 (filed Aug. 7,2014 and entitled “Methods and Systems of Actuation in RoboticDevices”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/192,663 (filed Aug. 15,2008 and entitled Medical Inflation, Attachment, and Delivery Devicesand Related Methods”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/018,530(filed Feb. 8, 2016 and entitled “Medical Inflation, Attachment, andDelivery Devices and Related Methods”), U.S. Pat. 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No. 9,498,292 (issued on Nov. 22, 2016 and entitled “Single SiteRobotic Devices and Related Systems and Methods”), U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/357,663 (filed Nov. 21, 2016 and entitled“Single Site Robotic Devices and Related Systems and Methods”), U.S.Pat. No. 9,010,214 (issued on Apr. 21, 2015 and entitled “Local ControlRobotic Surgical Devices and Related Methods”), U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/656,109 (filed on Mar. 12, 2015 and entitled “Local ControlRobotic Surgical Devices and Related Methods”), U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/208,515 (filed Mar. 13, 2014 and entitled “Methods, Systems,and Devices Relating to Robotic Surgical Devices, End Effectors, andControllers”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/210,934 (filed Mar.14, 2014 and entitled “Methods, Systems, and Devices Relating to ForceControl Surgical Systems), U.S. patent application Ser. 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No. 15/691,087 (filed Aug. 30, 2017 and entitled“Robotic Device with Compact Joint Design and an Additional Degree ofFreedom and Related Systems and Methods”), U.S. patent application Ser.No. 62/425,149 (filed Nov. 22, 2016 and entitled “Improved GrossPositioning Device and Related Systems and Methods”), U.S. patentapplication 62/433,837 (filed Dec. 14, 2016 and entitled “ReleasableAttachment Device for Coupling to Medical Devices and Related Systemsand Methods”), and U.S. Pat. No. 7,492,116 (filed on Oct. 31, 2007 andentitled “Robot for Surgical Applications”), U.S. Pat. No. 7,772,796(filed on Apr. 3, 2007 and entitled “Robot for Surgical Applications”),and U.S. Pat. No. 8,179,073 (issued May 15, 2011, and entitled “RoboticDevices with Agent Delivery Components and Related Methods”), all ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Thus, the various user controller 8 embodiments disclosed orcontemplated herein can be used with any robotic surgical system tooperate a robotic device or a component thereof, including such a devicethat is positioned in or through an incision into a target cavity ortissue of a patient. As such, the user utilizes her thumb and forefingerto manipulate the user controller 8, which thereby actuates the deviceor components thereof to perform a desired procedure.

FIG. 3 depicts a user controller 8 according to one embodiment having athumb sheath (also referred to as a “enclosure,” “sleeve,” or “shroud”)40, instead of a thumb restraint as discussed above in relation to FIGS.1-2B. As used herein, “sheath,” “enclosure,” “sleeve,” or “shroud” isintended to mean any structure that encloses the user's thumb on threesides while defining an opening on the fourth side through which theuser can remove her thumb. The thumb sheath 40 surrounds the thumb ontwo sides, with the main body 10 restraining on a third side, leaving asingle side open. More specifically, the sheath 40 has a first section40A extending from the body 10 and a second section 40B extending fromthe first section 40A in a direction substantially transverse to thefirst section 40A, thereby enclosing two sides around the thumb opening48 such that the thumb opening 48 is defined by the first section 40A,the second section 40B, and the thumb groove 16. Alternatively, thedevice 8 need not have a thumb groove—the body 10 can define the thirdside in such implementations. As a result, the thumb sheath 40 and thethumb groove 16 or body 10 further define an open side 49 as shown. Incontrast, the known thumb restraint 20 discussed above operates inconjunction with the thumb groove 16 to entirely surround or enclose thethumb on four sides—the entire 360° around the thumb.

In one embodiment, the thumb sheath 40 can sufficiently constrains theuser's thumb when it is positioned within the thumb opening 48 such thatthe thumb can be used to perform a “pinching motion” in conjunction withthe forefinger to cause the forefinger restraint 22 to move away from orcloser to the body 10 in the directions represented by arrow 42. Assuch, the thumb sheath 40 can operate in a fashion similar to the knownthumb restraint 20 discussed above. In contrast to that restraint 20,however, the sheath 40 also allows two methods of egress for the thumb.That is, the user's thumb can not only be retracted proximally in thedirection represented by arrow 46 in the same fashion as possible withthe known thumb restraint 20, but can also be moved out of the thumbopening 48 in the direction represented by arrow 44 through the openside 49. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the two directions of potentialegress are normal to the direction of pinching (represented by arrow 42)and each other. As such, this configuration of the sheath 40 allows forboth fine control of pinching motion while enabling the user todisengage from the device 8 by removing her thumb in a controlled andsimple manner.

To clarify, the term “user controller” as used herein will refer to thevarious embodiments of a user input device to be manipulated by a userto provide input to and thereby operate some portion of a roboticsystem. In contrast, the term “system controller” will refer to anyprocessor, computer or other system controller component (such as amicroprocessor or the like) that can be used to operate a system.

FIG. 4 depicts a further implementation of a user controller 8 having asensor 51 configured to detect the presence of the user's thumb. It isunderstood that this embodiment of the controller 8 has a thumb sheath40 substantially similar to the sheath 40 described above, including thefeatures and benefits as described. Further, in this exemplaryimplementation, a user presence sensor 51 is incorporated into thesheath 40. The device 8 has a matched light emitter 50 disposed on thesheath 40 and a receiver 52 disposed on the body 10. Alternatively, theemitter can be on the body 10 and the receiver can be on the sheath 40.In a further alternative, two or more such sensors can be incorporatedinto the device 8. The emitter 50 and receiver 52 are positioned in amanner which generally aligns the path of light 54 transmitted by theemitter 50 with the direction of motion of the pinching motion asrepresented by arrow 42. In use, the emitter 50 and receiver 52 areplaced such that when the user's thumb is not present, light (visible orotherwise) from the emitter 50 reaches the receiver 52. In contrast,when the user's thumb is present within the thumb opening 48, the pathof the light 54 is blocked. The absence of this signal can then be usedas an indicator of user presence (that is, the presence of the user'sthumb within the thumb opening 48), thereby indicating that the user isgrasping the user controller 8. Once the light path is blocked by theuser's thumb, restoration of this signal, an indicator of user absence,is achieved by retracting the thumb in either of two directions asrepresented by arrows 44 and 46, which are normal to the direction ofpinching represented by arrow 42 and the path of light 54 (as discussedabove). This configuration of sheath 40 and sensor 51 allows for motionof the thumb in the direction of pinching (as represented by arrow 42)without allowing light to pass. This allows for the sheath 40 to besufficiently loose such that egress is easily achieved. That is, thesize of the thumb opening 48 in relation to the user's thumb does notimpact the ability of the sensor 51 to detect the presence therein orthe ability of the user to utilize the sheath 40 to allow the user toutilize the pinching motion to move the forefinger restraint asdiscussed above.

Alternatively, any known sensor or sensor technology can be used withthe user controller 8 to detect the presence (and absence) of the user'sthumb within the sheath 40.

The sensor 51 allows for the user controller 8 (and the system to whichthe controller 8 is coupled) to utilize the information about thepresence or absence of the user's thumb to activate or deactivatemechanical support of the user controller 8. That is, the sensor 51 canbe configured to transmit a “presence” signal to the system controller(not shown) of the system (not shown) when the thumb is inserted intothe sheath 40 such that the system controller deactivates any mechanicalsupport of the user controller 8. Similarly, the sensor 51 can also beconfigured to transmit an “absence” signal to the system controller (notshown) when the thumb is retracted from the sheath 40 such that thesystem controller activates mechanical support of the user controller 8,thereby preventing gravity from causing the user controller 8 frommoving in an undesirable fashion that causes the controlled roboticdevice to also move in an undesirable fashion.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of a user controller 8 having areflected light sensor 61. That is, the user controller 8 has an emitter60 and a receiver 62 that are both embedded in the main body 10 as shownsuch that the emitted light 64 from the emitter 60 returns to thereceiver 62 as reflected light 66 by the nearest occlusion. In thisconfiguration, the presence of the user's thumb within the sheath 40provides a much shorter path than the sheath 40 and thus a correspondingstronger return signal than would be detected in the absence of thethumb. This signal can then be thresholded to determine the binarypresence/absence of the user's thumb. That is, a predetermined thresholdcan be established above which it is understood that a user's thumb ispresent in the sheath 40 such that a presence signal is transmitted tothe system controller (not shown). In one implementation, it isunderstood that this embodiment has substantially the same features,modes of egress, and advantages, including insensitivity to motion inthe direction of pinching motion, as the previously describedembodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary known circuit for use in conjunction with asensor such as either of the sensors 51, 61 discussed above with respectto FIGS. 4 and 5 for detecting the presence of a user's thumb within thesheath 40. In this embodiment, one or more pairs of infrared (IR)emitters and detectors are provided that are similar to those describedin FIG. 4 or FIG. 5. The presence of the user's thumb blocks the IRlight from the emitter from reaching the detector, changing the outputstate of the circuit. Each emitter/detector pair described uses thecircuit in FIG. 6 to detect presence. When the user's thumb is absentfrom the device, phototransistor Q1 receives IR light from LED1. Thisturns the transistor on, causing a current to flow through resistor R1,and a non-zero voltage to appear on the non-inverting input (pin 5) ofthe comparator U1. If this voltage is higher than the inverting input ofU1, set by the voltage divider of R2 and R3, the output of thecomparator is switched on, lowering the output voltage to 0. When thedetector Q1 is blocked, the transistor is off, and the output of thecircuit is 5 volts. Alternatively, any known circuit or circuitconfiguration can be used for this purpose.

FIG. 7 depicts a further embodiment of a sensor 70 for use in a usercontroller 8. In this specific implementation, instead of a light-basedtechnology, the sensor 70 is a known capacitive sensor 70 positioned inthe main body 10 as shown. The capacitive sensor 70 functions as a knowncapacitive sensor 70 operates to detect the presence of the user's thumbwithin the sheath 40. According to one embodiment, it is understood thatthis embodiment has substantially the same features, modes of egress,and advantages, including insensitivity to motion in the direction ofpinching motion, as the previously described embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary known circuit for use in conjunction with acapacitive sensor such as the sensor 70 discussed above with respect toFIG. 7 for detecting the presence of a user's thumb within the sheath40, according to another implementation. One or more capacitive sensorsare placed on the inner surface of the thumb sheath, such as the sensor70 in FIG. 7. In use, when the user's thumb is placed in the sheath 40,the change in capacitance changes the output state of the circuit.Alternatively, any known circuit or circuit configuration that operatesin conjunction with a capacitive sensor can be used for this purpose.

FIG. 12 depicts a further embodiment of a sensor 120 for use in a usercontroller 8. In this specific implementation, instead of a light- orcapacitive-based technology, the sensor 120 is a known mechanical sensor120 positioned in the main body 10 as shown. The mechanical sensor 120functions as a known mechanical sensor 120 operates to detect thepresence of the user's thumb within the sheath 40. For example, themechanical sensor 120 can be actuated by the user's thumb depressing thesensor 120, thereby indicating that the thumb is present within thesheath 40. According to one embodiment, it is understood that thisembodiment has substantially the same features, modes of egress, andadvantages, including insensitivity to motion in the direction ofpinching motion, as the previously described embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary known circuit for use in conjunction with amechanical sensor such as sensor 120 discussed above with respect toFIG. 12 for detecting the presence of a user's thumb within the sheath40, according to a further embodiment. In this embodiment, a mechanicalswitch (such as switch 120) is placed inside of the thumb sheath 40. Inuse, when the user's thumb is in place, the switch is actuated and theoutput state of the circuit changes. When the user's thumb is not in thesheath, the switch is open, and the output of the switch is pulled up to5 volts. V1 inverts this signal to a 0 volt output. When the thumb isplaced in the sheath, the switch is depressed, which changes the outputof the circuit to 5 V. The switch debouncing circuitry is a circuitwhich filters out short duration transitions of the output when themechanical switch is engaged and disengaged. Alternatively, any knowncircuit or circuit configuration that operates in conjunction with amechanical sensor can be used for this purpose.

FIG. 10 depicts a user controller 8 having a user sensory feedbacksignal component 100, according to one embodiment. That is, thisspecific implementation has a signal component 100 that provides sometype of sensory feedback to the user about whether the user's thumb ispositioned within the sheath 40. In the specific embodiment depicted inFIG. 10, the feedback signal component 100 is a visual feedbackcomponent 100 in the form of an LED 100 that is disposed on the thumbsheath 40. Alternatively, any form of sensory feedback signal can beused. This feedback component 100 provides feedback to the userregarding whether the system (not shown) detects the presence of theuser's thumb within the sheath 40. Feedback may be provided by multipleLEDs, auditory, or other visual signals. In use, according to thisembodiment, the LED 100 would illuminate if the user's thumb isdetected, thereby indicating that the thumb is positioned within thesheath 40. It is understood that the user controller 8 with the userfeedback signal component 100 can have any of the various sensorcomponents disclosed or contemplated herein. In addition, it isunderstood that the user feedback signal component 100 can beincorporated into any other embodiment disclosed or contemplated herein.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict an adjustable sheath 40, according to oneembodiment. More specifically, the sheath 40 in this specificimplementation can move between a retracted position as shown in FIG.11A and an extended position as shown in FIG. 11B. As such, the sheath40 can be adjusted to be positioned with respect to the main body 10 inthe retracted positioned in which the thumb opening 48 has a minimumwidth represented by arrow 110 (as shown in FIG. 11A) or can be extendedout away from the body 10 up to the extended position in which the thumbopening 48 has a maximum width represented by arrow 112 (as shown inFIG. 11B). This adjustability enables the sheath 40 to conform to a widearray of user thumb sizes while supplying sufficient control authorityto the user while still enabling the user to disengage in a controlledmanner. It is further understood that the user controller 8 with theadjustable sheath 40 can have any of the various sensor or sensoryfeedback components disclosed or contemplated herein. In addition, it isunderstood that the adjustable sheath 40 can be incorporated into anyother embodiment disclosed or contemplated herein.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user controller comprising: (a) a controllerbody; and (b) a thumb sheath coupled to the controller body, wherein thethumb sheath comprises: (i) a first sheath section extending from thecontroller body; and (ii) a second sheath section extending from thefirst sheath section, wherein the second sheath section is transverse tothe first sheath segment, wherein the first sheath section, the secondsheath section, and the controller body define a thumb opening and anopen side.